NNews October 2024

26 October 2024 increase access to services, to promote health, wellness and resiliency of individuals and families affected by the multi-dimensional effects of mental illness, we will operationalize the value diversity offers towards success.” “I think that NJMHI can and should continue towork on strengthening the future leaders and reducing and removing barriers to entry to the field so that we can bringmore quality clinicians into themental health space and have thembe adequately paid,” Cheryl stated. “There are additional partnerships that NJMHI has beenworking on over the years with other social determinants of health and development research, and I do believe that all of these projects are important to keep on the radar as we move forward.” “Behavioral health professionals need a lot of support. Themore encouragement and resources we can provide for the workforce, the greater quality care will be provided to the people they serve. We can’t do one without the other,” emphasized StephanieMarcello, PhD, Assistant Vice President of Academics, Integration and Innovation, Behavioral Research and Training Institute, and Chief Psychologist, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. She explained that system barriers need to be eliminated so that evidence-based and best practices can be implemented and the best possible health outcomes can be achieved. NJMHI Leaders Share their Views on the Institute’s Ongoing Impact Also related to the goal of increasing the behavioral healthcare workforce, Becky recommended that NJMHI “reach out to high schools and participate in their career days to open the conversation with students considering healthcare professions in psychiatry, social work, etc. It’s important to introduce healthcare professions early on - before students have to make decisions about college and careers,” she said. “I’mglad to contribute to the important work of this long-established organization. I enjoy collaboratingwith like-minded individuals and having an impact,” saidNapoleon B. Higgins, Jr., MD, Executive Director, Black Psychiatrists of America, and CEO, Global Health Psychiatry, who was elected in April 2024.“ The work is never done. We need to continue to expand, to be more diverse and in more areas.” “We need to prevent recidivismand look at the dollar impact on the community. If people weren’t incarcerated, they could work and even become entrepreneurs,” Chris added. “It takes synergistic efforts fromboard members, leaders and supporters to drive an organization forward. With that in mind, my hope is that we can continue the important conversations around equity and inclusion and turn them into actionable items, enhance the Leadership Academy for the benefit of the sector, identify resources to support NJMHI’s mission and priorities, and expand our outreach and strategic efforts to better meet the evolving needs of the community,” Elsa said. “I believe we can achieve this by strengthening our partnerships with diverse organizations and policymakers to ensure that we build the networks necessary to support a mental health system that is high quality and equitably accessible.” “ My hope is that we can expand our outreach and strategic efforts to better meet the evolving needs of the community. We can achieve this by strengthening our partnerships. ” Elsa Candelario, DSW, MSSW, LCSW Professor of Professional Practice, Director, Latina/o/x Initiatives for Service, Training, and Assessment Certificate Program, Rutgers University School of Social Work Get to know all the NJAMHAA and NJMHI Board members better, beginning on page 31! You will see how each of them contribute with expertise in diverse areas and from their broad array of professional experience. (continued from page 25)